News
Healthcare system in crisis due to corruption and mismanagement
By Rathindra Kuruwita
Sri Lanka’s once highly-praised healthcare system is facing a severe crisis, and the root causes can be traced to corruption, nepotism, cronyism, and mismanagement, according to Professor Indika Karunathilake, the Secretary-General of the Asia Pacific Academic Consortium for Public Health (APACPH).
In a scathing assessment of the situation, Professor Karunathilake highlighted that these issues permeate every level of the healthcare system, ultimately leading to its failure. He expressed concern that multiple checks and balances that should identify and rectify problems have broken down, causing the system to collapse. This ongoing crisis has had severe consequences, including the forced departure of numerous healthcare professionals from the country.
Sri Lanka’s healthcare system has long been admired for its cost-effectiveness, with a per capita healthcare expenditure of approximately $400 per year, a fraction of what developed countries like the UK and the US spend. Dr. Ajith Amarasinghe, a Consultant Pediatrician, pointed out that despite this modest budget, the healthcare indices in Sri Lanka are comparable to those of wealthier nations. He emphasized that the current crisis cannot be solely attributed to the economic downturn, as the 2023 health budget is double that of 2021, even after accounting for depreciation.
One concerning aspect is the quality of drugs distributed in both government and private hospitals. Dr. Amarasinghe raised the issue of tarnishing the reputation of the healthcare system in a short period, attributing the blame to individuals who have overseen the system in recent years. He specifically mentioned former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and his team, noting that Minister Rambukwella has since been removed from his position.
Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa, Chairman of the Professional Forum of Physicians on Medical and Civil Rights, lamented the dismantling of past healthcare achievements, such as maternal mortality rates and child health indices, which have seen a worrying decline.
Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama, President-Elect of the Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA), said that the current crisis as unprecedented.
Dr. Thenuwan Wickramasinghe of the Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) said that a 40 percent increase in patients seeking care in government hospitals due to the inability to afford private healthcare. He underscored that the healthcare system continues to operate because of the dedication and resilience of its healthcare professionals.
A discussion with the Catholic Council was held on Thursday (21) afternoon at the Presidential Secretariat under the co-chairmanship of Minister of Science and Technology, Chrishantha Abeysena and Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.
Discussions focused on administrative issues relating to Catholic schools taken over by the Government, the formulation of a structured teacher cadre system for Catholic religious education, the need to recruit Catholic nuns and priests into the teaching profession and the establishment of a mechanism to obtain the support of the Ministry of Education for the administration of Government-acquired Catholic schools.
It was also decided that discussions with the Catholic Council would be held three times annually, while Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage would serve as Secretary to the forum.
Expressing appreciation on behalf of the Catholic Council, His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith thanked President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the Government for facilitating the discussion.
His Eminence further stated that the expectation was to ensure every student, without discrimination, is given the opportunity to learn his or her own religion and stressed the importance of resolving the prevailing issues within the education sector.
Also present at the occasion were Most Rev. Bishop Harold Anthony Perera, Most Rev. Bishop Christy Noel Emmanuel, Most Rev. Bishop Anton Ranjith, Most Rev. Bishop Wimal Siri Jayasuriya, other clergy representing the Catholic Council, Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Nalaka Kaluwewa and senior officials of the Ministry of Education.
(PMD)
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has decided to broaden the Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy, which was launched last year. Unlike the inaugural edition held in November 2025 that featured eight Associate teams, the second edition will comprise 10 teams, including five Test-playing nations. The tournament is scheduled to be held in November this year.
Italian Navy’s ITS GIOVANNI DELLE BANDE NERE, which arrived in Colombo (21 May 2026) on a replenishment visit, departed the island today (22 May).
The Sri Lanka Navy bade a customary farewell to the departing ship in compliance with naval traditions at the port of Colombo.
During her brief stay in Colombo, the Commanding Officer of the ship, Commander Antonio BUFIS called on the Commander Western Naval Area at the Western Naval Command Headquarters.
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